Casting hasn't officially started on the second season of Netflix's live-action One Piece adaptation, but one Oscar-winner has already emerged as a fan favorite to play Doctor Kureha. Two weeks ago, Jamie Lee Curtis expressed her interest in bringing the character of Doctor Kureha to life. Not only are fans on board, but apparently so are the showrunners.
Speaking to Deadline, co-showrunner Matt Owens was asked about the prospect of Curtis playing Doctor Kureha in Season 2. While no serious discussions have been had due to the ongoing SAG strike, Owens admitted that they are writing the character with Curtis in mind for the role.
"We’re trying to manifest it. Yes, as of right now, SAG is still striking so there have not been real conversations. But as soon as there can be, I’m ready. I will take her out to dinner, we’ll talk about it. We’ll do all of it because at this point we’re writing for her — we really, really want her to come and play with us in Season 2," Owens revealed.
Curtis first expressed her interest in the role on Instagram where she posted an image of Doctor Kureha along with the following message: "ONCE the STRIKE against the greed of the AMTPT is SETTLED with a FAIR CONTRACT, I will lobby along with the growing fan frenzy to become Doctor Kureha in [One Piece]"
Not only did the post elicit a supportive response from fans, but also from Owense, who commented, "Mommy dearest, that's why we sent you that figure! No need to lobby. Once we get what we deserve and get back to work let's talk!"
Owens provided further context behind his response to Deadline, explaining, "After she won her Oscar, the writers room sent her a figure of Doctor Kureha with a nice note that said, “Congratulations on your statue, here’s another one to put next to it. Hope to speak to you soon.”
Television and movie writers returned to work in late September after The Writers Guild of America voted to end the strike with entertainment companies. Owens confirmed that the writers room is up and running for One Piece and "getting scripts done" for the upcoming second season. Unfortunately, with the actors' strike still ongoing, they can't talk production scheduling just yet.
For those unfamiliar, Doctor Kureha is a 139-year-old doctor on Drum Island, and an ally of the Straw Hat Pirates. She has a pretty big role in the manga chapters that Season 2 will presumably cover.